South African Ernie Els tied a course record with a 7-under 64 Saturday to stretch his lead at the Million Dollar Challenge to six strokes after the third round.
Top European Colin Montgomerie, who had four birdies in a flawless round, sits in second, powerless to stop the South African's surge to win his first Million Dollar title in eight tries. Els finished the third round at 197.
Montgomerie was stung not only by the brilliant play of Els -- but also by a wasp at the 14th tee. Still, he shot a 68 for three-round total of 203.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke also tied Nick Faldo's course record, set in 1994, to improve to 205 overall.
Earlier, lightning forced the players off the course after the leaders had played nine holes of the third round. Els had started the day with three birdies in the first four holes, but then dropped two shots over the seventh and eighth. Montgomerie found himself just a shot off the pace.
Els countered with an eagle on nine to move three shots ahead of Montgomerie again.
Jim Furyk came close to matching the course record, finishing with a 65. The American is in fourth, nine shots behind.
197 E Els (Rsa) 67 66 64
203 C Mongomerie (Sco) 66 69 68
205 D Clarke (NIrl) 72 69 64
206 J Furyk (USA) 70 71 65
208 N Price (Zim) 68 72 68, S Garcia (Spa) 71 67 70, L Westwood (Eng) 68 70 70
